Mystery as Brit backpacker, 27, is found dead on paradise beach on Portuguese island ‘hours after he was seen eating at local restaurant’

A Briton who was found dead on a paradise Algarve beach this morning was “seen having dinner the night before without any sign of trouble”, locals have claimed.

The body of the 27-year-old backpacker was found at around 8am today on a white sand beach on Armona Island, near the coastal town of Olhao, after a local raised the alarm.

Emergency responders, including marine police, rushed to the scene after the alarm but were unable to do anything to save him.

An investigation was underway today to determine the cause of death, with local sources citing accidental drowning as a possibility.

Local sources say. “He was seen at a restaurant on the island the day before with no sign of being in trouble or ill.

‘He appeared to be a traveler because, among other things, he had with him a knapsack, one of the large ones often used by knapsacks.

“Police investigators interviewed several people on the island. Everything indicates that the deceased fell into the water that night.

“Now only an autopsy can determine what happened, whether he was the victim of a sudden illness, whether he hit his head while diving, or was even surprised by a rising tide while sleeping on the beach.

“There is nothing at this stage to indicate that his death was the result of foul play.”

British man found dead on paradise Algarve beach (file image)

The police report that there were no visible traces of violence on the body of the deceased. His passport was found in his backpack where he was found.

“Around 8am, an island resident called police to report a body on the beach,” the spokesman said.

“Marine police team and Olhao rescuers went to the scene and found a lifeless person lying on the sand.

She was in the fetal position, face down, in shorts and bare chest.

“The body was still wet, even though the tide was around 6.30 this morning, suggesting he had been in the water.

‘Actually the body was between the high tide and low tide lines.

“There were no signs of violence, but the judicial police was called to the scene to conduct an examination.

“They were able to find the young man’s passport, which was in his backpack and was near the scene of the incident.

“He was a 27-year-old British man.”

Armona Island – Ilha da Armona in Portuguese – is famous for its beautiful beach.

The island is part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is only six miles long and a little over half a mile wide.

About fifty people live permanently on the island and rely mostly on fishing and tourism.

There are no cars on the island. One of the travel writings says about a famous place. “If you love pure nature, you’ll love this place.”